Safety belt guarding sleeve equipped with a luminous apparatus

ABSTRACT

A safety belt guarding sleeve equipped with a luminous apparatus includes a pliable cover wrapped on a safety belt of a car and a luminous device encased in the pliable cover. The surface of the pliable cover is bonded to a felt layer and has one edge attached to a bonding structure for fastening to the felt. The pliable cover further has a lid to form a housing space with the inner side of the pliable cover for holding a detachable protective member. The luminous device is held, embedded, laid or bonded in the housing space and has a portion exposed outside the pliable cover to project light so that people may see from outside.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a safety belt guarding sleeve of cars and particularly a safety belt guarding sleeve equipped with a luminous apparatus.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] In the highly industrialized society today, many products are made in a modularized manner to meet mass production requirements. Many products of the same type have same specifications. However, in the constantly changing world, many consumers crave for differentiation in the homogeneous environment. Thus “personalized design” has become a prevailing trend these days.

[0005] At present the “personalized design” concept is widely adopted in various businesses and trades. For instance, notebook computers are no longer shaped in square or angular forms. Many curvy shapes with strong personal flavor have been introduced. This phenomenon is especially noticeable on mobile phones. For example, besides replaceable face panels, personalized ring also is available now. In order to increase appeal to consumers, products must have features to reflect individuality and personality of the users.

[0006] In car business, many car-related personalized products and accessories are also available to enable car lovers to show their preferences and unique tastes. For instance, many people would buy a guarding sleeve to couple with the safety belt to highlight their special identity in addition to attaining the safety and protection purpose. Whereas the guarding sleeve for the safety belt is a commodity product that loses its appeal easily. A novel and fresh design is required to augment its personalized appeal and meet the safety requirement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Therefore the primary object of the present invention is to resolve the aforesaid disadvantages. The safety belt guarding sleeve of the invention includes a luminous apparatus which may project light outside the guarding sleeve so that people in distance can see the light and driving safety may be enhanced. In addition, the guarding sleeve may be printed with characters or patterns to reflect personal preference or individual flavor.

[0008] The foregoing, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention;

[0010] FIGS. 2-1 is an exploded view of the present invention;

[0011] FIGS. 2-2 is another exploded view of the present invention;

[0012] FIGS. 2-3 is a front view of the present invention, in an extended condition;

[0013] FIGS. 2-4 is another front view of the present invention, in an extended condition;

[0014] FIGS. 3-1 is a schematic view of an inner side of the present invention, in an extended condition;

[0015] FIGS. 3-2 is a schematic view of an inner side of the present invention, in a folded condition;

[0016]FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the present invention, showing the power supply unit and control unit coupled together;

[0017] FIGS. 5-1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the luminous apparatus of the present invention;

[0018] FIGS. 5-2 is a schematic view of another embodiment of the luminous apparatus of the present invention;

[0019] FIGS. 5-3 is a schematic view of yet another embodiment of the luminous apparatus of the present invention; and

[0020]FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the present invention in use.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2-1, the present invention includes at least a pliable cover 1 and a luminous device 3. The pliable cover 1 is to wrap around the safety belt 5 of a car (also referring to FIG. 6). It has a surface covered by a felt layer 11 and one edge 12 attached to a bonding structure 7 (a Velcro tape is adopted in the invention, but it is by no means a limitation) to bond to the felt layer 11 for fastening purpose. The pliable cover 1 forms a housing space 13 in the inner side thereof and is covered by a lid 14. In the housing space 13, there is a protective member 131 detachably located therein. The protective member 131 has a fastening section 1311 (also a Velcro tape, but is not limited to this). Thus the luminous device 3 may be held, embedded, laid or bonded securely in the protective member 131. And the protective member 131 is held securely in the housing space 13 by means of the fastening section 1311 (also referring to FIGS. 3-1 and 3-2).

[0022] In addition, the lid 14 is attached to the pliable cover 1 in a detachable manner through a fastening means. The fastening means may be a Velcro tape 141 or buttons 142 (referring to FIGS. 2-2), or stitching (not shown in the drawings), or the like.

[0023] Referring to FIGS. 3-1 and 3-2, the luminous device 3 includes a luminous panel 31, a control unit 33 connecting to the luminous panel 31 for controlling lighting of the luminous panel 31, and a power supply unit 32 connecting to the control unit 33 to supply electric power to the luminous panel 31. The control unit 33 and the power supply unit 32 may also be bonded to the pliable cover 1 in a detachable manner through a fastening means. And the fastening means may be a Velcro tape (not shown in the drawings) or the like. The power supply unit 32 is powered by a battery. The control unit 33 further includes a control circuit board 331 and a power control switch 332. The luminous panel 31 shown in the drawings is an electroluminescent (EL) panel, but is not limited to this (will be discussed later). The luminous panel 31 is inserted into a selected location inside the pliable cover 1 through at least one slit 132 formed in the housing space 13 and is exposed outside the pliable cover 1. Moreover, the luminous panel 31 is fastened to the exterior of the pliable cover 1 through a desired fastening means, such as stitching, high frequency fusion, preset windows, or the like so that it is visible from outside the pliable cover 1 (also referring to FIGS. 2-3 and 2-4).

[0024] By means of the construction set forth above, the invention may be wrapped on the safety belt 5. Then the power control switch 332 may be triggered to actuate the luminous panel 31 to generate light to project outside the safety belt guarding sleeve. Thereby people in the distance may see the light projecting from the luminous panel 31. In addition to improve driving safety, the luminous panel 31 may also be printed with characters or patterns to highlight personal flavor and preferences of the user.

[0025] Refer to FIG. 4 for a simplified structure of the power supply unit and control unit of the invention. The power supply unit 32 and the control unit 33 may be coupled together and mounted onto a dock 34. The power control switch 332 of the control unit 33 is linked to a control switch 341 located on the exterior of the dock 34 for controlling the luminous device 3. The dock 34 may also be fastened to the pliable cover 1 in a detachable manner by means of a Velcro tape (not shown in the drawings) or the like.

[0026] Referring to FIGS. 5-1, 5-2 and 5-3 for various embodiments of the luminous device 3 of the invention. Besides the EL panel, other suitable means may be employed. For instance, the luminous device may also be formed by coupling light emitting diodes (LEDs) 35 and a light scattering member 16. The light scattering member 16 is located on the outside of the pliable cover 1, and includes a flexible and hollow shell to house and protect the LEDs 35. There is at least one slit 132 located between the hollow shell and the pliable cover 1 for receiving the LEDs 35 into the hollow shell. The light scattering member 16 is made from an elastic and deformable material so that when the pliable cover 1 subjects to an external force and generate deformation, the light scattering member 16 can deform to a desired degree to protect the LEDs 35 and also to conform to ergonomics so that users may feel comfortable in use. In addition, the light scattering member 16 may also be printed with desired patterns or characters to enable the LEDs 35 to project light and pass through the light scattering member 16 to show personal flavor and preferences.

[0027] In the embodiments of the invention, after the control switch 341 is triggered, the LEDs 35 emit lights which project through the light scattering member 16 to allow other people to see. The printed characters and patterns on the light scattering member 16 may be illuminated to further enhance the visibility.

[0028] In addition, the LEDs 35 may also be arranged in a desired pattern to increase image versatility and practical value.

[0029] Refer to FIG. 6 for the invention in use. When an user buckles the safety belt, the invention covers the safety belt. The pliable cover 1 provides a desired form for comfortable use and prevents the user from being hurt by the stretching of the safety belt. By means of the luminous device 3, the pliable cover 1 may project various lighting effects to alert or amuse other people, and also to reflect personal flavor of the user.

[0030] While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been set forth for the purpose of disclosure, modifications of the disclosed embodiments of the present invention as well as other embodiments thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to cover all embodiments which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A safety belt guarding sleeve equipped with a luminous apparatus, comprising: a pliable cover wrapped on a safety belt of a car having a bonding structure located on one edge thereof, and at least one luminous device encased in the pliable cover for projecting light outside the pliable cover for people to see from outside.
 2. The safety belt guarding sleeve of claim 1, wherein the pliable cover has a housing space for holding, embedding, laying, or bonding the luminous device.
 3. The safety belt guarding sleeve of claim 2, wherein the housing space is formed by a lid covering an inner side of the pliable cover.
 4. The safety belt guarding sleeve of claim 3, wherein the lid is attached to the pliable cover through a fastening means in a detachable manner.
 5. The safety belt guarding sleeve of claim 4, wherein the fastening means is a Velcro tape.
 6. The safety belt guarding sleeve of claim 4, wherein the fastening means are buttons.
 7. The safety belt guarding sleeve of claim 1, wherein the luminous device includes a luminous panel, a control unit connecting to the luminous panel for controlling lighting of the luminous panel, and a power supply unit connecting to the control unit to supply electric power to the luminous panel.
 8. The safety belt guarding sleeve of claim 7, wherein the luminous panel is an electroluminescent (EL) panel.
 9. The safety belt guarding sleeve of claim 7, wherein the luminous panel includes at least one light emitting diode and a light scattering member.
 10. The safety belt guarding sleeve of claim 7, wherein the control unit includes a control circuit board and a power control switch.
 11. The safety belt guarding sleeve of claim 7, wherein the power supply unit and the control unit are coupled and mounted onto a dock, the control unit further having a control circuit board and a power control switch which is located on the exterior of the dock.
 12. The safety belt guarding sleeve of claim 3, wherein the housing space has a protective member.
 13. The safety belt guarding sleeve of claim 12, wherein the protective member is bonded to the housing space in a detachable manner and has a fastening section.
 14. The safety belt guarding sleeve of claim 1, wherein the pliable cover has a surface covered by a felt layer.
 15. The safety belt guarding sleeve of claim 9, wherein the light scattering member is located on the exterior of the pliable cover for holding, embedding, laying, bonding or protecting components of the luminous panel.
 16. The safety belt guarding sleeve of claim 15 further having a slit located between the light scattering member and the pliable cover.
 17. The safety belt guarding sleeve of claim 15, wherein the light scattering member is made from an elastic and deformable material, and is transparent or printed with characters or patterns. 